Figured Bass

Figured bass symbols indicate the exact intervals to write or play over a given bass note.

Figured bass considerations:

• Key signatures apply to the numbers written under the bass note
• Accidentals are indicated in the figured bass by a (or a number with a slash), a , or a
• A raises a flat note and a raises a natural note
• An accidental written without a number alters the 3^rd over the bass
• The numbers do not indicate the position of the upper voices. In a chord, for example, the 6^th does not need to be in the soprano; it can be in any voice.
• Unless specified, doubling of notes is based on the type of chord and the voice leading

The examples below are illustrations only and not a complete summary of all possible figured basses.

	If nothing is written under the note, build a root position triad with a 3rd and 5th over the bass note. It is assumed every chord will have a 3rd and 5th. Typically the bass is doubled.
	Add a 3rd and 6th over the bass note—first inversion triad. (The 3rd is implied.)  Typically the bass is not doubled in primary triads, and is doubled in secondary triads.
	Add a 3rd and 6th over the bass note—first inversion triad. (The 3rd is implied.)  Double the bass either at the unison or the octave (irregular doubling).
	Add a 3rd and 5th over the bass note. Double the 3rd over the bass (irregular doubling).
	Add a 4th and 6th over the bass note—second inversion triad. The bass is doubled.
	Add a  3rd , 5th, and 7th over the bass note—root position seventh chord. (The 5th and 3rd are implied.) Can also be incomplete with omitted 5th and doubled bass. [In the minor example, the natural sign indicates the raised 3rd over the bass note.]
	Add a 3rd , 5th, and 6th over the bass note—first inversion seventh chord. (The 3rd is implied.)
	Add a 3rd , 4th, and 6th over the bass note—second inversion seventh chord. (The 6th is implied.)
	Add a 2nd , 4th, and 6th over the bass note—third inversion seventh chord. (The 6th is implied.)
	Lower the 3rd over the bass note. (The 5th is implied.) Commonly used in modally borrowed chords.
	Raise the 3rd over the bass note. (The 5th is implied.) Commonly used in the dominant in minor keys and in secondary dominants.
	Raise the 5th over the bass note. (The 3rd is implied.) Commonly used in augmented chords.
	Lower the 5th over the bass note. (The 3rd is implied.) Commonly used in modally borrowed chords.
	Lower the 7th over the bass note. (The 3rd and 5th are implied.) Commonly used in secondary dominant seventh chords.
	Raise the 6th and add a 3rd and 4th . Commonly used in French sixth chords.
	Raise the 6th and add a 3rd and a flatted 5th (The 3rd is implied.) Commonly used in German sixth chords.

Commercial Chord Symbols

Below are the most commonly used commercial chord symbols.

Chord name	Chord symbol
major triad	C
minor triad	Cm, Cmi, Cmin, C-
augmented triad	C+, C+, Caug
diminished triad	Co, Cdim
major seventh	Cmaj7
dominant seventh	C7
minor seventh	Cm7
half-diminished seventh	Cm7(5)
diminished seventh	Co7, Cdim7
dominant seventh with a flat fifth	C7(5)
dominant seventh with an augmented fifth	C7(5), C7 +5
dominant seventh with a major ninth	C9
dominant seventh with a flat ninth	C7(9)
dominant seventh with a thirteenth	C13